Seroprevalencia de leucemia felina en gatos atendidos en la clínica de especialidades UTMACH, año 2024.

Abstract

Feline leukemia is a viral disease that affects domestic cats, primarily impacting their immune system and causing severe health problems. The disease is transmitted horizontally, although it can also be transmitted vertically, contributing to a significant increase in its occurrence. The prevalence of the infection varies globally, influenced by factors such as area of residence, lifestyle, and health status. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of feline leukemia in cats treated at the UTMACH Veterinary Teaching Specialty Clinic in 2024. Samples were collected during a diagnostic campaign conducted in May, with 1 cc of blood extracted from 60 cats via venipuncture. Diagnosis was performed using the sensPERT® rapid immunochromatographic test for FeLV/FIV. Of the 60 cats sampled, 14 tested positive and 46 negatives, resulting in a seroprevalence of 23.33%. Analysis of the association between variables revealed no statistically significant differences indicating a relationship between variables such as age, sex, exposure history, and reproductive status with the presence of the disease. However, the initial health status variable showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05), with cats in good initial health having a lower positivity rate (13.6%) compared to those with previous illness (66.7%) or in critical condition (66.7%). Hematological alterations observed in positive cats included non-regenerative anemia (14.3%), neutropenia (35.7%), and thrombocytopenia (7.1%). These findings underscore the importance of considering the overall health status in assessing the risk of feline leukemia, and it is recommended to implement prevention and management strategies in veterinary clinics.